Academic Outreach
From all-school graphic novel reads to cartooning workshops, academic interest in comics has never been higher. Comics courses are being offered in English and art departments and student-run comics clubs abound. As part of The Center for Cartoon Studies (CCS) Academic Outreach program, we want to connect with these classes and clubs and offer our comics expertise while also reaching out to students who might be a good fit for CCS’s Master of Fine Arts (MFA) program once their bachelor’s degree is complete.
BEAM US INTO YOUR CLASSROOM
For college and university-level classes (or clubs) we offer free 1-hour Zoom sessions. These start with a 15-minute presentation about CCS covering our programs and curriculum, followed by a 30 minute comics demonstration or lecture on a variety of cartooning topics, wrapping up with a 15-minute Q&A session.
CUSTOM DESIGNED WORKSHOPS
The Center for Cartoon Studies has designed 1-3 day workshops for Bahraini college students, West Point Cadets, high school educators, animators, manga lovers, and medical students. Rates begin at $1000/day plus travel and housing expenses. If this is beyond your organization’s budget, drop us a line and we’ll try and work something out.
FREE CARTOONING eCOURSE
Are you an aspiring cartoonist and need some help getting started? Have you been a cartoonist for a while, but need a refresher regimen to get you back into a creative groove? Whether you are interested in graphic memoir, comics journalism, or fantasy genres, our self-directed e-course, the One-Week Cartooning Workout is designed to help build up your cartooning muscles.
JOIN OUR MAILING LIST
Sign up for the CCS mailing list to stay up-to-date on all the workshops, lectures, signings, exhibitions, and classes that CCS offers in Vermont and throughout the world. We may be coming to a city near you!
ACADEMIC AND COMMUNITY OUTREACH
Part of The Center for Cartoon Studies’ mission is to improve the local cultural quality of life. CCS is located in the heart of the Upper Valley, a region that includes Vermont and New Hampshire and boasts a population of over 130,000. Whether we’re conducting workshops or sharing artwork, CCS works with local galleries, classrooms, libraries, and festivals and is proud to be a vital part of our local community and the global cartooning community.
SATURDAY MORNING CARTOONING CLUB
During the fall and spring semester, CCS offers Saturday Morning Cartoon Club, a fast-paced and fun workshop for Upper Valley kids. This class fills up fast, so we advise registering in advance: cartoonstudies.org/cartoonclub
ADMISSIONS OPEN HOUSE AND PORTFOLIO DAYS
CCS hosts open houses and portfolio days for prospective students to learn more about the program and have their portfolios reviewed. Dates are promoted on our front page cartoonstudies.org.
THE SCHULZ LIBRARY
The Schulz Library is home to over 20,000 graphic novels, zines, and reference material. Circulation is limited to students enrolled in the program, however, some borrowing privileges can be obtained by becoming a research patron. Contact us at info@cartoonstudies.org to learn more. Public reading room hours at The Schulz Library are available most Saturdays between 12-5pm, during the fall and spring terms.
RENTING SPACE AT CCS
The Center for Cartoon Studies rents meeting spaces for local and regional organizations and schools including JAG Productions, Marlboro Leadership Institute program, Dartmouth Osher Lifelong Learning program, Vermont Arts Council, Town of Hartford, Vital Communities, Vermont Community Foundation, Vermont Community Loan Fund, White River Indie Films, Spark, Showing Up for Racial Justice (SURJ) Upper Valley and more. CCS classrooms are equipped to meet all your AV needs. If you would like CCS to host your event and be in the center of White River Junction’s funky mix of restaurants and shops, contact Dave Lloyd at lloyd@cartoonstudies.org
SUMMER WORKSHOP SCHOLARSHIPS
CCS partners with organizations to award summer scholarships to young cartoonists from the region. Partnerships include Vermont Public Libraries, The Comic Book Project, The Haven, Junction Teen Center, and Hartford High School.
GALLERY AND SPECIAL EXHIBITS
From the classic comic strips to the modern graphic novel, The Center for Cartoon Archive includes work by the masters of the medium. inspiring the next generation of cartoonists, the collection includes work by Lynda Barry, Alison Bechdel, Jamie Hernandez, Chris Ware, Harry Lucey, Richard Thompson, Will Eisner, Ernie Bushmiller, Mort Walker and more. The collection is a vital part of CCS’s curriculum and is regularly brought into the classroom and exhibited throughout the country. CCS has mounted shows at AVA Gallery, Clark University, The Museum of the City of New York, Society of Illustrators, Montshire Museum of Science, Studio Place Arts, and Swarthmore College. If you are interested in hosting an exhibition or donating original art please contact us at: studio@cartoonstudies.org. The Center for Cartoon Studies is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization.
PRIVATE TUTORING AND WORKSHOPS
CCS students and alumni are available for workshops at local schools and libraries and one-on-one tutoring. To hire a CCS student or alumni for freelance illustration, cartooning, or design work click here to submit a form that will be posted on the school’s internal job board.
TEACHING RESOURCES
In recent years the comics medium has flourished, generating much interest from the literary, art, and educational communities. Recommended grades, along with Common Core subjects are noted on several resources available on the Teaching Comics page.
For more information:
Alec Longstreth
Professor and Director of Academic Outreach
outreach@cartoonstudies.org
